Round Fire Pits

Why choose a round fire pit?

A circle is the natural shape for a fire, which is why the round firepit is the classic garden design. Heat spreads out evenly from the centre, so nobody sits on a cold side, and every seat is the same distance from the flames. That makes it easy to pull up four, six or eight chairs and keep the group together.

There are practical reasons too. With no corners, a round bowl is easier to walk past on a busy patio, and there's no sharp edge at knee height for children to catch. Most round grills, lids and spark guards are made for a round bowl, so it's simple to add a cooking grate or a mesh cover later.

Square designs still have their place. A square fire pit or rectangular top gives you a ledge for drinks, and most gas fire tables are square for that reason. If that's what you're after, look at our fire pit tables. For an open log fire you can sit around, round wins.

Round fire pit sizes compared

Size is the first thing to settle with round fire pits. These are real models from our range, with figures from each Amazon listing.

A dash means the listing doesn't give that figure.

How many people each size of round fire pit seats

• 45-55cm: two to four people on a small patio or balcony-sized terrace. Fircpit says its 50.8cm pit seats four to six, but that's a snug circle.
• 65-80cm: the everyday garden size for four to eight. Panovue and SUNOUTLY both rate their 81-91cm pits at six to eight people.
• 90cm and over: bigger groups and parties. Anna Bishop Design says its 80cm Kadai suits ten or more, and PrimeZone says its 42-inch model seats up to ten with the lid on as a table.

Leave room for chairs as well as the fire pit. A 90cm fire pit with a ring of seats needs a clear circle of roughly 3.5 to 4m. For exact sizes, see our 32 inch fire pits and 40 inch fire pits.

Wood, smokeless or gas?

Open wood-burning bowls

Most round fire pits in our range are simple steel or iron bowls for logs, and many take charcoal too. You get the crackle and the real-fire smell, and a grill on top turns them into a barbecue. The trade-off is smoke, sparks and ash to clear. A mesh spark guard and a poker come with most of our models. There's more in our guide to wood burning fire pits, and if you want to cook, see our fire pit BBQs.

Double-wall smokeless pits

The Solo Stove, Golabs, Fircpit, YEFU and Briopaws pits are all round, stainless cylinders with a double wall. Air is drawn in at the base, heats up between the walls and comes out above the logs, burning off much of the smoke before it reaches you. Fircpit puts that air at 500°C; Briopaws and YEFU both claim up to 90% less smoke. They're compact (around 49-53cm), so they also make good portable fire pits. Compare them in our smokeless fire pits.

Gas round fire pits

Gas models burn propane under lava or glass rocks, with push-button ignition and a dial for the flame. The Teamson Home table is 76cm across, puts out 40,000 BTU and hides a gas bottle up to 13kg in its base; Teamson says a 9kg bottle lasts about 11.5 hours on full. No logs, no ash, no smoke. Our gas fire pits cover the rest.

Steel, cast iron or stainless?

Round fire pits come in four main materials, and the choice decides how long the fire pit lasts and how heavy it is.

• Powder-coated steel: the most common finish on a round fire pit. Light (the Bali 40-inch is 12.7kg) and cheap to make, so it's on most budget firepit designs. The coating will burn and chip in time, so a cover and a touch of heat paint keep it going.
• Thick or pre-rusted steel: the KOL bowl is carbon steel with an oxidised finish that darkens over time, the look also sold as Corten. The Titan fire ring is 10 gauge steel and weighs 27.22kg. Heavier steel warps less. See our steel fire pits.
• Cast iron: holds heat long after the flames drop. The Morsø Ignis is cast in one piece and reaches 315°C; it's small but solid.
• 304 stainless steel: used on the smokeless pits. It resists rust well and polishes up, though heat will discolour it over time.

For square, hexagonal and other shapes in the same materials, browse our metal fire pits.

Where to put a round fire pit safely

• Keep it at least three feet (about 1m) from fences, sheds, trees and anything that burns. That's the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advice, which also says to keep it clear of gazebos and awnings.
• Stand it on a stable surface that won't burn: paving, gravel or a heat-proof mat. Use the stand on grass or decking; Solo Stove, KOL and Blumfeldt all supply one for that reason.
• Never leave a fire unattended, keep children and pets back, and put it out fully with water or the lid before bed. For burns, follow NHS burns and scalds advice.
• Burn dry, seasoned logs, not garden waste or treated wood. Wet wood smokes, and the council can act on smoke that becomes a nuisance to neighbours.
• Living in a smoke control area? GOV.UK says outdoor barbecues, chimineas and fireplaces are allowed there. The rules on chimney smoke and authorised fuels apply to appliances with a chimney on a building.

Looking after a round fire pit

Scoop out the ash once it's cold; a full bowl chokes the airflow and holds damp against the steel. The smokeless pits have an ash pan that lifts out. Tip out rainwater after storms (the KOL and Kadai have drainage holes) and cover the fire pit between uses. The Blumfeldt and EcoNook pits come with one. Bring a lightweight stainless firepit into the shed for winter.

Round fire pits FAQ

What size round fire pit do I need?

For two to four people, 45-55cm is plenty. For a family garden, 65-80cm is the sweet spot. Go to 90cm or more only if you regularly have eight or more round it and have the space for the chairs.

Can I use a round fire pit on decking?

Only with care. Use the stand or legs that come with it, put a heat-proof mat underneath and keep a spark guard on. A gas model is the safer choice on timber.

Are round fire pits better than square ones?

For an open log fire, usually yes: heat spreads evenly all round and the chairs fit in a natural circle. A square fire pit makes more sense as a table with a ledge for drinks.

Can I cook on a round fire pit?

Many come with a grill. The Panovue, PrimeZone and Verdeluxe pits have two swivel grates, and the Kadai and Blumfeldt Crown include one. Let the flames die down to hot embers before you cook.

Do smokeless round fire pits give off any smoke?

Some, when you light them and when you add fresh logs. Once the second burn gets going, they're far less smoky than an open bowl, as long as the wood is dry.